Army

As many of my long-time readers know, I am a military spouse. Chris commissioned into the Army from college and has been Active Duty for nearly 8 years. In that time he has deployed to Afghanistan, attended his Career Course, executed his command time, and helps to train other units. I am SO proud of his service to this country! Serving one’s country though can prove problematic for military spouses. You see, we uproot our lives every couple of years which leads to some serious career instability. That’s why this post is so important to me! I have this awesome blog as a platform for helping other spouses to learn about careers that can move WITH them when the military gives its orders.

I am extremely fortunate that the career I feel passionate about is one that can move with me. I began my Physician Assistant school journey in January of 2014 and will be wrapping things up in about 7 months. Forbes recently ranked becoming a Physician Assistant as the #1 master’s degrees to get with a projected job growth of 30% over the next 5 years. Talk about job stability! The best part is that PAs are in high demand all around the country so no matter where the Army sends us this spring I feel confident that I will have a solid career to build upon.

Tips for Establishing a Portable Career

Advance your education – whether you’re just getting started and need to get your Associate’s degree or you’re aiming for your Master’s, furthering your education you will help make you a more competitive applicant. Martinsburg College is one program to check out!

Take advantage of MYCAA – if your spouse is an E5 or below, O1 to O2, or W1-W1 you are eligible for $4000 towards your education. The money can be used for certificates, licenses, and Associates degrees.

Choose strategically – when choosing what path you are going to take try to think about careers that are always in need!

Check USAJobs.com – this is a great way to see what jobs are available on different military installations around the country. You might see a trend in what is commonly in need!

5 Portable Military Careers for Military Spouses

Dental Assistant – check out your local Red Cross! Some offer this program for FREE.

Transcription – transcriptionists are always in need and many times you can even work from home.

Accounting – everywhere you go will be in need of a bookkeeper!

Nursing – truly a versatile career and with options for both an Associates and Bachelors you can complete a program in the short time on location from one duty station. Plus there’s the possibility of career advancement if you want to become a Nurse Practitioner

Freelance writing/social media – if you are a passionate and good writer you can

However way you spin it with some creativity and planning you can create a career that you love that can go with you wherever your family is sent next! Martinsburg College wants to help you do that for yourself AND your family.

Some of the benefits of Martinsburg College include:

Distance-based learning is available allowing you to learn wherever you are.

On-campus learning if you’re near one of their campuses.

Digital access to necessary textbooks saving tons of money

Martinsburg has been working with the military for over 10 years and understand the needs of a military family!

I know I left you hanging the other day about why this week is amazing …

Our family is together again! Chris has been gone playing Army a majority of the summer and it’s been challenging to say the least. While I was fortunate enough to have both my mom and his mom helping me at different times there were still periods of time where me and the girls were on our own. We had our own routine and things functioned fine but there was a huge piece of our hearts missing.

This is one aspect of being a military wife that doesn’t get easier, especially now that we have children. When Chris was deployed it was hard for me but I was just fine. I am a fairly independent woman. I don’t NEED Chris … life is just better when he is in it. Having little girls though that ADORE their father is another thing. Explaining to tiny humans why daddy isn’t here was difficult because they didn’t quite understand. Chris was exceptional both periods of time he was gone and Facetimed when he could but things just weren’t the same.

So another crazy summer is behind us and this will :hopefully: be his last long trip in this unit since we should be moving in the spring. Juggling these missions of his, PA school, and two crazy kids isn’t for the faint of h

Goodbyes are really hard. Yesterday the girls and I had to say goodbye to Chris for a MONTH. As an Army wife separation isn’t new to me but this will be the first extended period of time apart since we’ve had children.

Yesterday was my pity party. You see, Chris is going to be be missing a lot of important things in June. First, our 5 year anniversary is this Thursday. Funny because he missed our first anniversary because he was deployed to Afghanistan. I told him that he and the Army were in on it together to ensure that he misses our milestone anniversaries 😉 Second, he is missing my birthday. We are about 50/50 on birthdays at this point. Probably the point that I am MOST upset about is that he is missing my 1-week summer break. With a break-neck schedule at school I LIVE for my time off. Knowing he is missing that precious free-time makes my heart sad. Oh, and I have finals in 2 weeks. No big deal.

I’ve always told myself that when it came to distance I would allow myself one day to wallow in self pity and that was it. Then it was time to suck it up, put my big girl panties on, and march on. Today I am marching on.

I am very fortunate that my mom is able to be here until finals start. I don’t know what I would do if she wasn’t. We are going to miss Chris a lot but I am extremely thankful that he is only in Kentucky attending Army “grad school” and not overseas in a war zone. Perspective, right? A quote that got me through his deployment was, “Distance between two hearts is not an obstacle to overcome, instead it is a beautiful reminder at how strong true love can be”. Truer words have never been spoken.

Happy Monday friends! Hope you had a great weekend and are ready for a new week ahead 🙂

“Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours” -William Bruce

That quote is from a poem entitled “Memorial Day” which is fitting for today. While many people view Memorial Day as an excuse for a 3-day weekend, BBQs, and breach trips, the fact of the matter is that it is so much more. Memorial Day has been celebrated in this country since 1868 and is a day to honor those that have died serving our great country. While I am a VERY proud Army wife, and I am always appreciative when people honor Chris and thank him for his service, we both are in agreement that today is not about him. Memorial Day is about remembering those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is their lives that marks the price of freedom.

Today is a hard day for many Servicemembers as their pause and remember their brothers and sisters that never got to come home. Their exterior may be tough, but these grown men and women will have a lump in their throat as they remember. My heart aches for the families that will never be whole again. For the mothers, wives, and children who never got to attend a welcome home ceremony crying happy tears and instead had to lay the one they loved most to rest.

So today, go about your day, enjoy your time off, and laugh with friends at your neighborhood BBQ. Life is too short not to relish in the happy memories. However, I ask that at some point throughout the day you offer up a prayer of gratitude to the fallen. For it is because of those Soldiers (Sailors, Marines, and Airmen too) that we get to enjoy a cold beer on a hot summer day with friends without fear. At the end of the day freedom isn’t free …. it’s been paid for. And will continue to be paid for as long as there are brave men and women willing to wear the uniform. While you’re at it … say a prayer for their families too because they are continue to pay the price every single day they live without their loved one. And they do it with grace.

As you guys know, I am a proud Army wife. Chris has been an active duty Army officer for going on 7 years and the military has taken us all around the country and him to Afghanistan for a year. As a military family we are constantly on the go, moving over and over with each new place only being a temporary home. We have been fortunate along the way to build our Army family to share our life moments with when our own families cannot be around.

Supporting military families is a huge passion of mine. One that I have fostered throughout the years by volunteering within Chris’ military units as a Family Readiness Group Leader and as a volunteer at the hospital here at Fort Stewart. Chances are, once I graduate PA school I will continue to serve the military and their families as a healthcare provider.

It’s always refreshing to find companies that support and care for veterans and their families as much as I do. When I had the opportunity to share with you about CK Mondavi wines and their commitment to supporting the men and women of the Armed forces and their families.

CK Mondavi Family Vineyard was established in the 1940s by Italian immigrants Cesare and Rosa Mondavi in Napa Valley and continues to be a family owned and operated business to this day. Talk about the American dream! CK Mondavi wines are the only American made/grown wines for sale in supermarkets for under $10. I am also a big believer in supporting American businesses and who doesn’t want to do that while enjoying some delicious wine?

But the point that is near and dear to my heart is that CK Mondavi Family Vineyards have partnered with the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF). IFHF is full supported by public donations and serves U.S. military personnel that are wounded or killed in service to our nation. CK Mondavi provides a donation up to $50,000 to the fund annually. You can learn more about the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fun at www.fallenheroesfund.org.

What is important to me is that the family itself knows what it means to serve. The current day-to-day operations are run by Marc Mondavi, whose father, Peter Mondavi Sr. was a WWII veteran himself. Talk about a company and family who gives back. This year, a percentage of each bottle that is sold between May-August is going to be donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund!

I enjoyed the Chardonnay wine with part of my Army family for Easter. It was extremely refreshing with hints of apples and pears. My mom is a big fan of red wine so I am saving that one for her visit in June.

I am extremely proud to partner with a company who at its core shares a very important value with me and that is to support the troops and their families. It is a call that not many people are willing to answer so the more I can support companies that support our Soldiers the better 🙂

Disclaimer: Remember you have to be 21 and over to legally drink in the United States 😉

“Please comment below to share your own story about supporting veterans and/or American-made products. I will select ONE reader to be entered into CK Mondavi’s grand prize drawing by May 15. The grand prize is a $500 donation to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund in the winner’s name!”

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Hi everyone! My name is Madeline and welcome to my blog! I write about balancing healthy living, my family, and life as a Physician Assistant student. While I love a good HIIT workout I also love cupcakes and buffalo wings.